New owner of former Phillipsburg ice house pledges water tower's prompt demolition

The new owner of Phillipsburg's former ice house on South Main Street told town officials tonight that he plans to have a contractor tear down the water tower by next week's end.

Lenny Hernandez, of New Assets Management, said he bought the 1116 S. Main St. property from Carrie Perrucci-Scott and her husband in mid-July. Hernandez said the property's historic look appealed to him, although he doesn't yet have any definitive plans for it.

View full sizeThe new owner of the former Phillipsburg ice house has pledged to demolish the decrepit water tower by week's end.Express-Times File Photo | MATT SMITH

He declined to disclose how much he paid for the property.

Council Vice President Todd Tersigni said Hernandez has shown he plans
to follow through on the promises he's made, and Hernandez is going to
make the area a bright spot for the town.

"This
has been an ongoing process. Since you have taken ownership of the property,
you have shown that you're concerned with the safety of our community," Tersigni said.

Hernandez told council members he has contractor Robert Bartha lined up for the tower's demolition. The timeline for the tower's demolition is contingent upon approval of permits for the work and notification of Norfolk Southern Railroad, he said. The railroad has property neighboring the water tower.

He said the contractor plans to cut the legs on a side of the tower and pull it down with a cherry-picker on the side where it won't cause any damage.

Town inspector Kevin Duddy will notify neighboring companies of the pending demolition.

Once the tower comes down and the property is cleaned up a bit, it
will be easier to see for which uses the property is suited, Hernandez
said. The Hillsborough, N.J., resident said since he's not from the area and
isn't familiar with its needs, he would also take the town's desires into
consideration.